Exhaust gas purifying apparatus



Nov. 27, 1956 F. E. MCKYINLEY EXHAUST GAS PURIFYING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 3, 1955' 9 J v1 A 3 l U Maw Ill/VENTOR. @50MK/A Aii W I W Jaw/2e 5 wry- United States Patent EXHAUST GAS PURIFYINGAPPARATUS Fred E. McKinley, Paramount, Calif.

Application March 3, 1955, Serial No. 491,893

Claims. (CI. 60-30) The present invention relates generally to the fieldof internal combustion engines and more particularly to a novelapparatus for purifying the exhaust gases issuing therefrom.

It is well known that the exhaust gases issuing from the internalcombustion engines of automotive vehicles constitute a prime source ofthe so-called smog which exists in and around the principal populationcenters of the country. The harmful effects of this smog upon bothanimate and inanimate objects is likewise very well known. Although manyforms of apparatus for purifying exhaust gases have been heretoforeproposed, such devices have for various reasons proven to beunsatisfactory and accordingly are not now in general usage.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide an effectiveapparatus for purifying the exhaust gases issuing from an internalcombustion engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of theaforedescribed nature which may be readily installed upon the engine ofany conventional automotive vehicle.

It is another object of the invention to provide an exhaust gaspurifying apparatus that includes a housing through which the exhaustgases are passed, a plurality of grids or electrodes disposed withinsaid housing that define a plurality of gaps, and electrical meansconnect ed to said grid means for producing a high voltage spark acrossthe gaps, the passage of the exhaust gases through these sparks servingto substantially purify it of contaminants.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the aforedescribed naturethat is comparatively simple in design and rugged of constructionwhereby it may afford a long and trouble-free service life.

It is yet another object to provide apparatus of this nature that isfoolproof and entirely automatic in operation.

An additional object is to provide apparatus of the aforedescribednature which will not cause any increase in the back pressure exertedupon the engine by the exhaust gases.

Another object is to provide such apparatus wherein the sparking takesplace only while the operating conditions of the engine are such as tocause its exhaust gases to contain a comparatively high percentage ofcontaminants.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the aforedescribed naturewhich is compact in size and light in weight.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following de- 2,771,736 Patented Nov. 27, 1956taken through the housing disposed within the encircled portiondesignated 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure2;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 55 of Figure 3;and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken alongline 6--6 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figure 1 thereof, a preferredform of apparatus embodying the present invention is shown mounted uponthe side of a conventional internal combustion engine I having anexhaust manifold M. The apparatus includes a housing, generallydesignated 20, having its upper end connected to the engines exhaustmanifold M and its lower end connected to a discharge pipe 22 which isin turn connected to a conventional mufiier (not shown). With referenceto the remaining figures in the drawings, mounted within the housing 20are a plurality of electrodes or grid means 24 that define gaps 26through which the exhaust gases issuing from the engine I are passed.The grid means 24 are connected to suitable electrical means (to befully described hereinafter) adapted to produce high voltage sparksacross the gaps 26. The passage of the exhaust gases through thesesparks serves to purify it of contaminants to the point where it nolonger tends to produce smog.

The electrical means referred to hereinabove includes a pair of specialspark plugs 28 and 30 mounted at one side of the housing 20, aninduction coil 32 secured to the fire wall 34 and an electric switch,generally designated 36, which is operated by the accelerator pedal 38.

It is important to the efiicient operation of the preferred form ofapparatus that fresh air be supplied to the exhaust gas before such gasenters the upper end of the housing 20. Such fresh air may be suppliedby a suitable blower or compressor 27 that is connected to the exhaustmanifold M by means of tubing 29. This blower or compressor 28 may bedriven by the engines fan belt 31.

With regard to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the housing 20 includes main body 39 having a pair ofvertically extending front and rear walls 40 and 42 that are connectedby a pair of side wall 44 and 46, the side wall designated 44 beingdisposed proximate one side of the engine I. The housing 20 alsoincludes a frusto-conical cover 47 for the main body 39. The lowerportion of themain body 39 is of frusto-conical configuration, also. Theupper end of the cover 47 and the lower end of the main body 39 areformed with mounting flanges 48 and '49 for connection with the exhaustmanifold M and the discharge pipe 22, respectively. The lower end of thecover 47 and the upper end of the main body 39 are formed with abuttingflanges 50 and 51, respectively, between which is disposed a suitablegasket 52. The main body 39 and the cover 47 may be releasably securedtogether, as well as being affixed to the exhaust manifold M and thedischarge pipe 22, by a plurality of bolts 53 extended throughvertically aligned bores 54 formed in the flanges, as shown in Figure 2.As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the side Wall 44 is formed with a pair ofvertically aligned and spaced bores 55 and 56 which receive terminalelectrode elements 57 and 58, respectively. The side wall 46 is formedwith a pair of vertically aligned and spaced threaded sockets 60 and 62which mount the spark plugs 28 and 30, respectively.

The grid means 24 may .be supported by a plurality of rectangular plates66 formed of a ceramic such a'sporcelain. These plates 66 are-rigidlysecured, at one of their ends asby rivets68, to metallic barsv 70.extending horizontally between the front and rear w is of the housing.The bars 70 may be formed of stainless steel and preferably'they will beintegrally secured at their front and rear ends to a pair of mountingbars 72 and 74'which are removably mounted to the front and rear housingwalls 44 and 46, respectively, as by bolt and nut combinations 76.

The grid means Z-Tlinclude an upper screen member 78 and a similar lowerscreen member 80..- Each of these screen; members include a plurality ofUvShQPCCi metallic electrodes 82 that are rigidly secured to the ends ofthe porcelain plates 66- rernote from the mounting bars 70. The U-shapedelectrodes may be secured to the porcelain plates- 66 by means ofstainless steel strap elements 84 whicharein turn affixed to the plates66, by rivet 3:7; Referring to; Figures 2 and 3, it should beparticularly Qt dlhat-tbe i 3P electrodes :2...0f the upper member 78are staggered vertically with respect to those of the lower screenmember-80 whereby any exhaust gases flowing downwardly through theinterior of the housing which misses the gaps 26 of the upper screenmember will pass through those of the lower screen member. I t should beobserved that although two screen members 78 and 80 are employed in thepreferred embodiment disclosed herein, a single screen member may proveadequate in some instances. On the other hand, more than'two screenmembers may be required in other cases.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, each of the spark plugs 28 and include acoaxial electrode 88 which extends a considerable distance away from thebase 90 of the plug into the housing. The free ends of these electrodes88 are spaced adjacent the most forwardly. located U-shaped electrodes82F of the bankof electrodes most proximate to the side wall 46. Themost'rearwardly disposed electrode 82R in this bank is arranged adjacenta straight connector electrode 92. The opposite half of this connectorelectrode 92 is in turn spaced adjacent the-most rearwardly disposedU-shaped electrode 8211' of the next bank of electrodes. The mostforwardly located U.- shaped electrode 82F in this second bank ofelectrodes is disposed adjacent a second straight connector electrode94. A similar straight connector electrode 96 serves to connect the mostrearwardly located U-shaped electrodes of thethirdand fourth banks ofelectrodes. Yet a fourth straight connector electrode 98 connects thefront U- shaped electrode of the fourth bank of electrodes with that of1 the bankof electrodes disposed most proximate the side wall 44. Themost rearwardly located U-shaPed electrode of this last bank is disposedadjacent the straight terminal electrodes 57 and 58 which are securedwithin the bores 55 and 56, respectively, of the side wall 44. Theselastmentioned electrodes are each insulated from the housing 20 by asuitable grommet 100. With this arrangement, when a high voltage currentis impressed upon the spark plugs 28 and 30, a spark will pass from theelectrodes 88 of the spark plugs to the terminal electrode 57 and 58 bymeans of the various U-shaped electrodes 82 and the connector electrodes92, 94, 96 and 98, the spark moving rearwardly along the first bank ofelectrodes, forwardly alongthe second, rearwardly along the third,forwardly along the fourth and again rearwardly along the fifth bank.The spark will be prevented from short-circuiting and thereby taking anyother path by a plurality of vertically extending separators 99 whichare interposed between each of the banks of electrodes. These separators99 are formed of a material having high electrical insulating qualities,as well as being capable of withstanding high temperatures over extendedperiods of time. They may thus be formed of porcelain or of aporcelainized metal. Vertical slots 101 are formed in the mounting bars.72 and 74 for maintaining these separators 99 in place. Preferably, acoating of electrical insulating material 102 isapplied to the interiorof the housing 20 to. assist. in preventing short-.circuiting of thespark.

The high voltage necessary for producing sparking between the gaps26 isprovided by means of the induction coil 32. This coil 32 receives lowvoltage electric current from a suitable storage battery (not shown)and/or. an electrical generator (also not shown). Such battery andgenerator may be the same ones utilized in operating the conventionalelectrical components of the automotive vehicle. A high tension lead 112connects the windings of the coil and the spark plugs 28 and 30.

Preferably, the coil 32 will only draw electric current during the timethat the operating conditions of the engine I are of such a nature thatits exhaust gases contain a prohibitive percentage of contaminants. Inmost instances such a condition exists while the engine is idling,

and decelerating. It is possible, however, that this condition may alsoexist when the engine is operating at a partial throttle setting.

Referring to Figure l, the switch 36 is adapted to effect the desiredintermittent operation of the coil.3 2. This switch 36 is connected tothe accelerator pedal 38 by means of a link 114'in such a manner thatitwill normally permit electric current to flow to the coil 32 only whenthe pedal is disposed in a raised position, i. e. only during idling anddecelerating conditions. An adjusting bolt. 116 is interposed betweenthe link 114 andlthe switch 36; By the use of this adjusting bolt 116the point at which the switch 36is to be opened may belaccurately con..-trolled.

A lead 118 connects the switch 36 and the coil 32. The latter includes aconventional vibrator mechanism (not shown) which automaticallyinterrupts the electric current flow through the, windings of the coilseveral times a second so long as current is supplied to the coil bymeans ofthe switch 36 and the battery or generator.

Referring now to Figures l and 6, the tubing 29 is connected to a numberof branch tubes 120. Each of the latter extend upwardly into the exhaustmanifold M, as shown in Figure 6-, so as to convey fresh airfrom theblower 27 to a point adjacent the exhaust valves 122.

The portion of thebranchtubes 120 disposedwithin the exhaust manifold isformed with a curve124 sons to direct the fresh air as close to theexhaust. valves, 122 as, possible without actually projecting such coldair on the hot valves. tubes 120 are-formed of stainless steel.

The operation of the preferred form. of apparatu ho ld e re d y apparenfro e eg ing. tailed description. As the exhaust gases flow through thehousing 20 they will pass through thegaps26 while sparking takes placebetween these gaps. Acertain percentage of the unburned constituents oftheexhaust gases will be ignited by the electric sparks. The presence ofthe fresh air from the blower 27 will tend to accelerate this combustionoperation. It should be notecl that the size of the housing 20 is to beso chosen that its presence will not increasethe back pressure. exertedby theexhaust gases. It should also belnoted that the u-shap'edelecrtrodes 82. are substantially. self-adjusting with respect to theirgapping. This is true inasmuch as, the major. portion of each spark willpass across the narrowestiportion of the gaps 26 thereby tending toburnaway the excess electrode material. I

While the exhaust gaspurifying apparatus shown and described herein isparticularly adapted for use with automotive vehicles, it may also finduse in conjunction with purifying the discharge of industrial heatingunits, incinerators and the like. Thus, it will be understood thatvarious modifications and changesmay be made with respect to theforegoing description without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the following claims.

I clairn:

1. Exhau gas.nurifyinaapparatu -for usewith an internal combustionengine. having an exhaustmanifold, n n. cce r tor Pedal hatcont s h p df Preferably, the tubing 29 and its branch said engine, comprising: ahousing in communication with said manifold through which said exhaustgas is passed; grid means disposed within said housing in the path ofsaid gas, said grid means defining a plurality of gaps; an inductioncoil connected to said grid means for producing high voltage sparksacross said gaps so long as electric current is supplied to said coil;and switch means for controlling the flow of electric current to saidcoil, said switch means being operatively connected to said ac- Icelerator pedal whereby it will permit current to flow to said coil onlywhen said pedal is in a raised position.

2. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having an exhaust manifold, and an accelerator pedal thatcontrols the speed of said engine, comprising: a housing incommunication with said manifold through which said exhaust gas ispassed; means for introducing air into said exhaust gas before it enterssaid housing; grid means disposed within said housing in the path ofsaid gas, said grid means defining a plurality of gaps; an inductioncoil connected to said grid means for producing high voltage sparksacross said gaps so long as electric current is supplied to said coil;and switch means for controlling the flow of electric current to saidcoil, said switch means being operatively connected to said acceleratorpedal whereby it will permit current to flow to said coil only when saidpedal is in a raised position. v 3. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus foruse with an internal combustion engine having exhaust valves thatdischarge exhaust gas into an exhaust manifold, comprising: a housing incommunication with said manifold through which said exhaust gas ispassed; an air pump driven by said engine; tubing interconnecting thedischarge of said air pump with said exhaust manifold adjacent each ofsaid exhaust valves; grid means disposed within said housing in the pathof said gas, said grid means defining a plurality of gaps; and,electrical means connected to said grid means for producing high voltagesparks across said gaps.

4. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having exhaust valves that discharge exhaust gas into an exhaustmanifold, and an accelerator pedal that controls the speed of saidengine, comprising: a housing in communication with said manifoldthrough which said exhaust gas is passed; an air pump driven by saidengine; tubing interconnecting the discharge of said air pump with saidexhaust manifold adjacent each of said exhaust valves; grid meansdisposed within said housing in the path of said gas, said grid meansdefining a plurality of gaps; an induction coil connected to said gridmeans for producing high voltage sparks across said gaps so long aselectric current is supplied to said coil; and switch means forcontrolling the flow of electric current to said coil, said switch meansbeing operatively connected to said accelerator pedal whereby it willpermit current to flow to said coil only when said pedal is in a raisedposition.

5. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having an exhaust manifold, and an accelerator pedal thatcontrols the speed of said engine, comprising: a housing incommunication with said manifold through which said exhaust gas ispassed; a screen member disposed within said housing transverse to thedirection of exhaust gas flow, said screen member including a pluralityof straight banks of generally U-shaped electrodes, the proximate endsof said banks being connected by a conductor electrode, said electrodescooperating to define a plurality of gaps; a spark plug secured to saidhousing and having an electrode disposed adjacent the end of one of saidbanks; a terminal electrode secured to said housing and terminatingadjacent the end of one of said banks; means insulating said electrodesfrom said housing; an induction coil connected to said spark plug so asto produce high voltage sparks across said gaps so long as electriccurrent is supplied to said 7 6 Y coil; and switch means for controllingthe flow of 618C? tric current to said coil, said switch means beingoperatively connected to said accelerator pedal whereby it will permitcurrent to fiow to said coil only when said pedal is in a raisedposition.

6. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having exhaust valves that discharge into an exhaust manifold,and an accelerator pedal that controls the speed of said engine,comprising: an air pump driven by said engine; tubing interconnectingthe discharge of said air pump with said exhaust manifold adjacent eachof said exhaust valves; a housing in communication with said manifoldthrough which said exhaust gas is passed; a screen member disposedwithin said housing transverse to the direction of exhaust gas flow,said screen member including a plurality of. straight banks of generallyU-shaped electrodes, the proximate ends of said banks being connected bya conductor electrode, said electrodes cooperating to define apluralityof gaps; a spark plug secured to said housing and having anelectrode disposed adjacent the end of one of said banks; a terminalelectrode secured to said housing and terminating adjacent the end ofone of said banks; means insulating said electrodes from said housing; aseparator formed of an electrical insulating material disposed betweeneach of said banks; an induction coil connected to said spark plug forproducing high voltage sparks across said gaps so long as electriccurrent is supplied to said coil; and switch means for controlling theflow of electric current to said coil, said switch means beingoperatively connected to said accelerator pedal whereby it will permitcurrent to flow to said coil only when said pedal is in a raisedposition.

7. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having an exhaust manifold, and an accelerator pedal thatcontrols the speed of said engine, comprising: a housing that isconnected at one of its ends to said exhaust manifold and at its otherend to a discharge pipe, exhaust gas from said engine flowing throughsaid housing; a plurality of electrically insulated separators extendingthrough said housing parallel to the direction of exhaust gas flowtherethrough; a bank of U-shaped electrodes disposed between each ofsaid separators, said banks being aligned with each other in a planetransverse to the direction of exhaust gas flow; a straight connectorelectrode electrically coupling the U-shaped electrodes at the proximateends of said banks; a spark plug secured to said housing and having anelectrode disposed adjacent the end of one of said banks; a terminalelectrode secured to said housing and terminating adjacent the end ofone of said banks; means insulating said electrodes from said housing;an induction coil connected to said spark plug for producing highvoltage sparks across said gaps so long as electric current is suppliedto said coil; and switch means for controlling the flow of electriccurrent to said coil, said switch means being operatively connected tosaid accelerator pedal whereby it will permit current to flow to saidcoil only when said pedal is in a raised position.

8. Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having an exhaust manifold, and an accelerator pedal thatcontrols the speed of said engine, comprising: a housing that isconnected at one of its ends to said exhaust manifold and at its otherend to a discharge pipe, exhaust gas from said engine flowing throughsaid housing: a plurality of electrically insulated separators extendingthrough said housing parallel to the direction of exhaust gas flowtherethrough; a bank of U-shaped electrodes disposed between each ofsaid separators, said banks being aligned with each other in a planetransverse to the direction of exhaust gas. flow; a straight connectorelectrode electrically coupling the U-shaped electrodes at the proximateends of said banks;

a spark plug secured to said housing and having an electrode disposedadjacent the end of one of saidtbanks;

terminal electrode secured to said housing and terminating adjacent theend'of one of'said banks; means insulat ing said electrodes from saidhousing; an induction coil connected between said spark plug and saidterminal electrode for producing high voltage sparks across said gaps solong as electric current is supplied to said coil; switch means for.controllingthe flow of electric current to said coil; a link connectingsaid accelerator pedaland said switch; and, adjustment means betweensaid link andsaid'switch.

9; Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for use with an internal combustionengine having exhaust valves that discharge into an exhaust manifold,and an accelerator pedal that controls the speed of said'engine,comprising: an air pumpdriven by said engine; tubing interconnectingthe. discharge. of said air pump with said exhaust manifold adjacenteach of said exhaust valves; a housing that is connected at its upperend to-said exhaust manifold and at'itslower end, to a discharge pipe,exhaust gas from said'engine flowing downwardly through said housing; aplurality of vertically extending and horizontally spaced electricallyinsulated separators extending through said housing parallel to thedirection of exhaust gas flow therethrough; first and second verticallyspaced screen members; 'each' screen member including a plurality ofhorizontallyaligned' banks of U-shaped electrodes, a single bank beingdisposed between each of said separators, anda straight connectorelectrode coupling the U-shaped electrodes at the proximate ends of saidbanks; first and second spark plugs secured to said housing in line withsaid" screen'members-and having an electrode disposed adjacent the-endof one of the banks thereof; first and secondterminal electrodes securedto said housing in line with said screenrnembers-and terminatingadjacent the end of one ofthebanksthereof; means insulating saidelectrodes from said housing; an induction coil connected between saidspark plugs and said terminal electrodes for producing high voltagesparks across said gaps so long as electric current is supplied to saidcoil; switch means for controlling'the flow of electric current to saidcoil; a link connecting said'accelerator pedal and said switch;and,adjustmentmeans'between said link and said switch.

10. Apparatus as set' forth in claim 9 Where the U- shaped electrodes ofsaid first screen member are vertically staggered with respect to thoseof said second screen -member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS977,336 Shaffner et al Nov. 29, 1910 1,400,795 Bradley Dec. 20, 19211,756,897 Bilsky Apr. 29, 1930 1,843,999 White Feb. 9, 1932 FOREIGNPATENTS 834,510 France Aug. 22, 1938

